In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Sheriff, Republicans, Partied on Public Property Without Liquor License, At Airport AFTER Being Booted Out of Catholic High School Last Week

State of Florida alcohol regulators and investigators have been asked to investigate how and why St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee was allowed to book St. Augustine's Airport Conference Center for an April 21, 2017 alcohol fueled fundraiser party with Sheriff DAVID SHOAR, without obtaining a liquor license. They did so after they were booted out of St. Joseph's Academy two days before the event, which their website claims was a result of "unfortunate events." What happened? Watchdog Tom Reynolds reported them to the vice principal and to the Diocese of St. Augustine. Mr. Reynolds, a Democratic candidate for St. Johns County Commission Seat 4, deserves credit for this victory -- alcohol sales are prohibited in schools and churches (or church schools).

The ill-starred event was originally slated as a "roast" of Sheriff DAVID SHOAR, but was abruptly changed to a dialogue between Sheriff SHOAR and Congressman John Rutherford, former Duval County Sheriff and our new Congressman from the Fourth Congressional District. Why? Tom Reynolds volunteered to assist with the roast, but the roast plan was toast. As Wm. F. Buckley, Jr. once asked, "Why does baloney reject the grinder?"

The location at St. Joseph's disappeared. The Airport was a last-minute substitute. The Airport staff refused to answer questions Friday, April 21, with an assistant referring citizens with questions to SJCREC Chair WILLIAM KORACH. How revealing. How revolting.

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense Inspector General is investigating Republicans' November 8, 2016 election party at the Florida National Guard's Mark Lance Armory. I reported them.

No liquor license was supplied to the Airport. No liquor license for the event exists. Source: Open Records responses from the Airport Authority and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Some 100-125 people were expected to attend the Republican dinner, paperwork obtained from the Airport establishes. No "disclaimer" was given about the Airport not endorsing Republicans was made, in violation of airport rules and state law, Mr. Reynolds.

"Laws, rules and regulations apply to everybody. St. Johns County Republicans have proved once again that they are lousy louche lawbreakers, unwilling to obey the laws that we 'little people' must obey. Like Leona Helmsley, the late hotelier tax cheat, St. Johns County Republicans, led by bigoted Chair WILLIAM KORACH, have no respect for the law. The fact that St. Johns County SHERIFF DAVID SHOAR and Congressman JOHN RUTEHRFORD were embroiled in this lawbreaking party speaks to the deep corrosive corruption pervasive in St. Johns County, oozing from every pore, nook and cranny of our local governments. Enough," Mr. Reynolds said.

Further details on the event will be revealed in filings with the Supervisor of Elections, including who provided the alcohol and how much money was raised.

The dinner was supposed to raise funds on an urgent basis, supposedly to counter Democratic organizing, including (horrible dictu) a new "van." Maybe they meant VAN, a voter database.

On Tuesday, April 25, 2017 10:39 AM, "Littlefield, Jay" wrote:

Thank you for contacting the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The results of your request for records from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco are provided BELOW.

Nothing Found under any of the names given or under the address shown. Tried combinations of names and abbreviations as well.

Caller want to know if a company had a temp license for alcohol. Northeast Florida Regional Airport-4730 Casa Cola Way, St Augustine, FL 32095. Company name St Johns County Republican Party on 4/21/17-
Caller want to get this by email. THOMASFREYNOLDS@YAHOO.COM PH 904.325.5392 eastern any. Caller want to get a copy of the license or permit for this event.

On Monday, April 24, 2017 11:49 AM, Cindy K. Hollingsworth wrote:

The Airport Authority does not have possession of the requested record, if there is such a record.

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